A REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING A SEPARATOR PLATE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising an intermediate member that enables a separator plate to be placed into the body.

[0002] The refrigerators comprise a body wherein the foodstuffs and beverages are stored and at least one separator plate that divides the body into two separate volumes. A flexible intermediate member is required that provides leak-proofing between the separator plate and the body in order to prevent air flow from the sides of the separator plate between the said volumes and to separate the volumes almost entirely from one another. However, when load is placed on the separator plate, the intermediate member that partially supports the said load has to remain rigidly between the separator plate and the body and at the same time it should enable the separator plate to be easily mounted to and dismounted from the body.

[0003] In the state of the art Chinese Utility Model Application No. CN202928273U, an intermediate member is disclosed, that is mounted on the body and that is squeezed between the separator plate and the body while the separator plate is being placed into the body. However, the said invention does not provide sufficient strength and sufficient leak-proofing. At the same time, the loading being concentrated on the body may give permanent damage to the body.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application JP 2005 121328 A discloses a refrigerator with a shelf that has upstanding flanges, wherein the lateral flanges are movable between horizontal projections extending from the wall of the refrigerator.

[0005] United States Patent US 3 407 016 discloses a refrigerator with a shelf that separates a high humidity compartment from a flowing cold compartment. The edges of the shelf are provided with sealing gaskets.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator comprising an intermediate member that enables the separator plate to be easily mounted to the body and the separator plate to be easily dismounted from the body, that provides airproofing between the separator plate and the body and that connects the separator plate with the body with a high strength.

[0007] The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in claim1, comprises a separator plate that is situated inside the body to be almost parallel to the base; two intermediate members that are attached to the sides of the separator plate; at least one flexible element that is disposed on the intermediate member and that enables the separator plate to be easily placed to the body by getting narrower while the separator plate is placed into the body; a groove arranged on the body to be parallel to the base; the intermediate member being mounted to the separator plate so as to move towards the interior of the separator plate and outside of the separator plate and so as to make a partial rotational movement on the horizontal plane whereto it is connected, remaining between the separator plate and the body. In an embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate member comprises two flexible elements that are situated spaced apart from one another and at the same level, each being close to one end of the intermediate member. The separator plate comprises a housing that is arranged at the right and left sides thereof, that surrounds the intermediate member placed therein from at least three sides and extends inwards from the side of the separator plate.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises claws that are disposed on the intermediate member or the separator plate, that enable the intermediate member to move in the housing, that has a width that creates movement area for the intermediate member to get close to or away from the separator plate and also enable the intermediate member to be attached to the separator plate.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator plate or the intermediate member comprises at least three claws, one disposed close to one end of the intermediate member, the other close to the other end and the last one almost at the center of the intermediate member when the intermediate member is attached to the separator plate.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate member comprises a dampening surface that is disposed at the end portion of the flexible element, that has an inclined configuration and that decreases the friction between the separator plate and the intermediate member. The intermediate member comprises a rib that remains outside the housing but remains inside the groove and rests against the periphery of the groove when the separator plate is placed to the body. In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a hole arranged on the separator plate, two barriers that are situated on the intermediate member with a distance therebetween and that face each other, and a pin that remains between the barriers.

[0011] By means of the present invention, a refrigerator is realized having a separator plate that can be easily mounted to/dismounted from the body, remaining in a durable manner on the body and wherein leak-proofing is provided between the body and the separator plate.

[0012] A refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a refrigerator.

Figure 2 - is the partial perspective view of the separator plate in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 - is the cross-sectional view of the separator plate, the groove and the intermediate member while in assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the separator plate and the intermediate member while the intermediate member is in the process of being attached to the separator plate in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the separator plate and the intermediate member when the intermediate member is attached to the separator plate in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 - is the partial perspective view of the separator plate and the intermediate member when the intermediate member is attached to the separator plate in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 - is the view of detail A in Figure 6.

Figure 8 - is the perspective view of the intermediate member in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Refrigerator

2. Body

3. Separator plate

4. Intermediate member

5. Flexible element

6. Groove

7. Housing

8. Claw

9. Dampening surface

10. Rib

11. Hole

12. Barrier

13. Pin

[0014] The refrigerator (1) comprises a body (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed; a separator plate (3) that is placed into the body (2) by being pushed and dismounted from the body (2) by being pulled and that divides the body (2) into two separate volumes when placed into the body (2); two intermediate members (4) that are disposed between the separator plate (3) and the body (2) such that one remains at the right side of the separator plate (3) and the other at the left side of the separator plate (3) when the separator plate (3) is placed into the body (2); at least one flexible element (5) that is disposed on the intermediate member (4) and that changes form while the separator plate (3) is being placed into the body (2); and a groove (6) that is arranged on the body (2), wherein the intermediate member (4) is placed.

[0015] The refrigerator (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises the intermediate member (4) that extends almost along the side of the separator plate (3), that provides airproofing between the separator plate (3) and the body (2), that is attached to the separator plate (3) so as to move in the separator plate (3), that remains partially in the separator plate (3) when attached to the separator plate (3) and partially in the groove (6) when the separator plate (3) is placed into the body (2).

[0016] The flexible element (5) disposed on the intermediate member (4) that is mounted by the user to the right and left sides of the separator plate (3), is squeezed between the intermediate member (4) and the separator plate (3) while the intermediate member (4) is slid into the groove (6). When the separator plate (3) is seated into the body (2), the flexible element (5) creates a repelling force that tries to move the intermediate member (4) and the separator plate (3) away from each other. By means of the said force, the separator plate (3) remains rigidly in the body (2). The intermediate member (4) is attached to the separator plate (3) so as to make a partial rotational movement and also to enter into and partially go out of the separator plate (3) in the direction parallel to the separator plate (3). That the intermediate member (4) remains partially in the separator plate (3) and partially in the groove (6) and moreover that the portion remaining between the separator plate (3) and the body (2) and the portion remaining in the groove (6) have no gaps provide airproofing of the separator plate (3) along the sides of the said separator plate (3).

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate member (4) has two flexible elements (5), one disposed close to one end thereof and the other close to the other end. That the flexible elements (5) are positioned close to the ends enables the said ends to move easily while the separator plate (3) is mounted to the body (2) or while the separator plate (3) is dismounted from the body (2), and also prevents a formation of moment on the intermediate member (4) with respect to the center of the intermediate member (4) when the separator plate (3) is placed into the body (2). The repulsive force exerted by the flexible element (5) near the two ends enables the intermediate member (4) to remain durably between the groove (6) and the separator plate (3). The separator plate (3) comprises a housing (7) that is arranged on the separator plate (3), that surrounds the intermediate member (4) placed therein from at least three sides and extends inwards from the side of the separator plate (3). The housing (7) extends along the side of the separator plate (3). The flexible elements (5) situated on the intermediate member (4) remain inside the housing (7) when the intermediate member (4) is attached to the separator plate (3). There are no gaps that allows air passage in the portion of the intermediate member (4) remaining outside the housing (7). The housing (7) surrounds the portions of the intermediate member (4) that can leak air from all four sides. Consequently, air is prevented from leaking from between the side of the separator plate (3) and the body (2).

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator plate (3) comprises at least one claw (8) that is disposed inside the housing (7). The intermediate member (4) is attached to the separator plate (3) by being fitted to the said claws (8) so as to partially move.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises more than one claw (8) that is disposed inside the housing (7) so that a distance remains therebetween. At least two claws (8) are disposed inside the housing (7), one being close to one end of the housing (7) and the other close to the other end thereof. Another claw (8) is provided almost at the center of the housing (7) that remains between the flexible elements (5) when the intermediate member (4) is placed into the housing (7). Thus, the intermediate member (4) is enabled to stay attached inside the housing (7) without preventing its rotational and forwards - backwards movements.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate member (4) comprises a dampening surface (9) in circular arc form that is disposed at the end portion of the flexible element (5) and that decreases the friction between the separator plate (3) and the intermediate member (4). Thus, the flexible elements (5) do not create friction on the surface of the separator plate (3) during the movement of the intermediate member (4). The intermediate member (4) can easily move on the separator plate (3). The intermediate member (4) comprises at least one rib (10) that is disposed on the intermediate member (4), that remains outside the housing (7) and inside the groove (6) when the separator plate (3) is placed to the body (2), that strengthens the said area and that bears against the periphery of the groove (6).

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises at least one hole (11) that is arranged on the intermediate member (4) and the separator plate (3), two barriers (12) that are disposed on the intermediate member (4) and that extend parallel to one another, and a pin (13) that is inserted into the hole (11), remaining between the barriers (12) and enabling the intermediate member (4) not to move in one direction. The barriers (12) situated on the intermediate member (4) extend from the separator plate (3) towards the groove (6). Thus, the intermediate member (4) is prevented from moving parallel to the groove (6).

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element (5) is V-shaped. In an embodiment of the present invention, the groove (6) and the intermediate member (4) have chamfered ends. By means of the chamfered ends, the intermediate member (4) can easily go in and out of the groove (6).

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator plate (3) is used as a crisper wherein fruits or vegetables are placed and a crisper cover.

[0024] By means of the present invention, a refrigerator (1) is realized, having a separator plate (3) that can be easily placed into the body (2), a flexible intermediate member (4) that provides leak-proofing between the separator plate (3) and the surface of the body (2) whereto the separator plate (3) is placed, and a groove (6) that grasps the intermediate member (4) rigidly.

Claims

1. A refrigerator (1) comprising:

- a body (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed;

- a separator plate (3) that is placed into the body (2) by being pushed and dismounted from the body (2) by being pulled and that divides the body (2) into two separate volumes when placed into the body (2);

- two intermediate members (4) that are disposed between the separator plate (3) and the body (2) such that one remains at the right side of the separator plate (3) and the other at the left side of the separator plate (3) when the separator plate (3) is placed into the body (2);

- at least one flexible element (5) that is disposed on the intermediate member (4) and that changes form while the separator plate (3) is being placed into the body (2);

- a groove (6) that is arranged on the body (2), wherein the intermediate member (4) is placed,
wherein the intermediate member (4) extends almost along the side of the separator plate (3), provides airproofing between the separator plate (3) and the body (2), is attached to the separator plate (3) so as to move in the separator plate (3), remains partially in the separator plate (3) when attached to the separator plate (3) and partially in the groove (6) when the separator plate (3) is placed into the body (2),

- a housing (7) that is arranged on the separator plate (3), that surrounds the intermediate member (4) placed therein from at least three sides and extends inwards from the side of the separator plate (3);

- a rib (10), that is disposed on each of the intermediate members (4), that remains outside the housing (7) but remains inside the groove (6) and strengthens an area of the intermediate member (4), and rests against the periphery of the groove (6) when the separator plate (3) is placed to the body (2).

2. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the intermediate member (4) having two flexible elements (5), one being close to one end thereof and the other close to the other end.

3. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one claw (8) that is disposed inside the housing (7) and by the intermediate member (4) that is attached to the separator plate (3) by means of the claw (8).

4. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by more than one claw (8) disposed inside the housing (7) so that a distance remains there between.

5. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a circular arc-shaped dampening surface (9) that is disposed at the end portion of the flexible element (5) and that decreases the friction between the separator plate (3) and the intermediate member (4).

6. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a hole (11) that is arranged on the intermediate member (4) and the separator plate (3), by two barriers (12) that are disposed on the intermediate member (4) and that extend parallel to one another, and by a pin (13) that is inserted into the hole (11), remaining between the barriers (12) and enabling the intermediate member (4) not to move in one direction.

7. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the V-shaped flexible element (5).

8. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the groove (6) and the intermediate member (4) that have chamfered ends.

9. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the separator plate (3) that is used as a crisper wherein fruits or vegetables are placed and a crisper cover.

Ansprüche

1. Kühlschrank (1) umfassend

- einen Körper (2), wobei Nahrungsstoffe eingebracht sind;

- Trennplatte (3), die im Körper (2) platziert ist, in dem sie gedrückt wird und aus dem Körper (2) demontiert ist, in dem sie gezogen wird und die den Körper (2) in zwei separaten Bereichen teilt, wenn sie im Körper (2) platziert ist,

- zwei Zwischenglieder (4), die zwischen der Trennplatte (3) und dem Körper (2) so angeordnet sind, dass eines auf der rechten Seite der Trennplatte (3) und das andere auf der linken Seite der Trennplatte (3) verbleibt, wenn die Trennplatte (3) in den Körper (2) platziert ist;

- mindestens ein flexibles Element (5), das an dem Zwischenglied (4) angeordnet ist und dessen Form ändert, während die Trenplatte (3) in den Körper (2) platziert ist;

- eine Nut (6), die auf dem Körper (2) angeordnet ist, worin das Zwischenglied (4) platziert ist,

wobei sich das Zwischenglied (4) fast entlang der Seite der Trennplatte (3) erstreckt, Luftabdichtung zwischen der Trennplatte (3) und dem Körper (2) vorsieht und an der Trennplatte (3) angebracht ist, um sich darin zu bewegen, die Trennplatte (3) teilweise in der Trennplatte (3) verbleibt, wenn sie an der Trennplatte (3) befestigt ist, und teilweise in der Nut (6), wenn die Trennplatte (3) in den Körper (2) eingesetzt wird,

- ein Gehäuse (7), das an der Trennplatte (3) angeordnet ist, das das darin angeordnete Zwischenglied (4) von mindestens drei Seiten umgibt und sich von der Seite der Trennplatte (3) nach innen erstreckt;

- eine Rippe (10), die an jedem der Zwischenglieder (4) angeordnet ist, die außerhalb des Gehäuses (7) verbleibt, aber innerhalb der Nut (6) verbleibt und einen Bereich des Zwischenglieds (4) verstärkt und gegen den Umfang der Nut (6) abstützt, wenn die Trennplatte (3) an dem Körper (2) angeordnet ist,

2. Kühlschrank (1) nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch das Zwischenglied (4) mit zwei flexiblen Elemente (5), von denen sich eines nahe einem Ende und das andere nahe dem anderen Ende befindet.

3. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine Klaue (8) die innerhalb des Gehäuses (7) angeordnet ist und durch einen Zwischenglied (4), die mit der Trennplatte (3) mittels der Klaue (8) verbunden ist.

4. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch mehr als eine Klaue (8), die am Gehäuse (7) angeordnet ist, sodass ein Abstand inzwischen bleibt.

5. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine kreisbogenförmige Dämpfungsfläche (9), die am Endabschnitt des flexiblen Elements (5) angeordnet ist und die Reibung zwischen der Trennplatte (3) und dem Zwischenglied (4) verringert.

6. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch ein Loch (11), das an dem Zwischenglied (4) und der Trennplatte (3) angeordnet ist, durch zwei Barrieren (12), die an dem Zwischenglied (4) und die sich parallel zueinander erstrecken und durch einen Stift (13), der in das Loch (11) eingeführt wird, zwischen den Barrieren (12) verbleibt und es dem Zwischenglied (4) ermöglicht, sich nicht in einer Richtung zu bewegen.

7. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch ein V-förmiges flexibles Element (5).

8. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine Nut (6) und ein Zwischenglied (4), die abgeschrägten Enden aufweisen.

9. Kühlschrank (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine Trennplatte (3), die als Crisper verwendet wird, worin Obst oder Gemüse platziert sind, und eine Crisperdeckung.

Revendications

1. Réfrigérateur (1) comprenant

- un corps (2) dans lequel aliments sont placés;

- une plaque séparatrice (3) qui est placée dans le corps (2) en étant poussée et démontée du corps (2) en étant tirée et qui divise le corps (2) en deux volumes séparés lorsqu'il est placé dans le corps (2);

- deux organes intermédiaires (4) qui sont disposés entre la plaque séparatrice (3) et le corps (2) de telle sorte que l'un reste du côté droit de la plaque séparatrice (3) et l'autre du côté gauche de la plaque séparatrice (3) lorsque la plaque séparatrice (3) est placée dans le corps (2);

- au moins un élément flexible (5) qui est disposé sur le membre intermédiaire (4) et qui change de forme pendant que la plaque séparatrice (3) est placée dans le corps (2);

- une nervure (6) qui est disposée sur le corps (2), dans laquelle est placé le membre intermédiaire (4),
dans lequel le membre intermédiaire (4) s'étend presque le long du côté de la plaque séparatrice (3), fournit une étanchéité à l'air entre la plaque séparatrice (3) et le corps (2), est fixé à la plaque séparatrice (3) de manière à se déplacer dans la plaque séparatrice (3), reste partiellement dans la plaque séparatrice (3) lorsqu'elle est fixée à la plaque séparatrice (3) et partiellement dans la nervure (6) lorsque la plaque séparatrice (3) est placée dans le corps (2),

- un boîtier (7) qui est disposé sur la plaque séparatrice (3), qui entoure le membre intermédiaire (4) placé à partir d'au moins trois côtés et s'étend vers l'intérieur depuis le côté de la plaque séparatrice (3);

- une nervure (10), disposée sur chacun des membres intermédiaires temporels (4), qui reste à l'extérieur du boîtier (7) mais reste à l'intérieur de la nervure (6) et renforce une zone du membre intermédiaire (4), et appuie contre la périphérie de la nervure (6) lorsque la plaque séparatrice (3) est placée sur le corps (2).

2. Réfrigérateur (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le membre intermédiaire (4) comporte deux éléments flexibles (5), l'un étant proche de l'une de ses extrémités et l'autre proche de l'autre extrémité.

3. Réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par au moins une griffe (8) qui est disposée à l'intérieur du boîtier (7) et par le membre intermédiaire (4) qui est fixé à la plaque séparatrice (3) au moyen de la griffe (8).

4. Réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par plus d'une griffe (8) disposée à l'intérieur du boîtier (7) de sorte qu'il reste une distance entre elles.

5. Réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par une surface d'amortissement en forme d'arc circulaire (9) qui est disposée à la partie d'extrémité de l'élément flexible(5) et qui diminue le frottement entre la plaque séparatrice (3) et le membre intermédiaire (4).

6. Réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par un trou (11) qui est disposé sur le membre intermédiaire (4) et la plaque séparatrice (3), par deux barrières (12) qui sont disposées sur le membre intermédiaire (4) et qui s'étendent parallèlement les uns aux autres, et par une goupille (13) qui est insérée dans le trou (11), restant entre les barrières (12) et permettant au membre intermédiaire (4) de ne pas se déplacer dans une direction.

7. Réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par l'élément flexible (5) en forme de V.

8. Réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par la nervure (6) et le membre intermédiaire (4) qui ont des extrémités chanfreinées.

9. Réfrigérateur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par la plaque séparatrice (3) est utilisée comme bac à légumes dans lequel sont placés des fruits ou des légumes et une couverture de bac à légumes.

Drawing